What's the most aesthetically pleasing ancient coin in your collection?

Whether it be the design, the condition or the color, I know everyone typically has a few coins that they consider to be superior in appearance in their collection Also using this thread to get a few ideas for some pretty ancients I might look into buying in the future

 

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What type of metal (gold, silver, bronze/copper) and price range are you looking into?

 

As far as toning is concerned, probably this Bela IV medieval Hungarian coin. Though the design is also very appealing as far as medievals go.



As far as aesthetics, hard to beat a Babylonian mint tetradrachm of Seleukos I Nikator.



Though I think an Istros Drachm might give it a run for the money.



And if you are looking at Rome, Republican era is the way to go.



Just my opinion. Feel free to disagree.

 

Easy one for me. The nomos from Tarentum that I've been using for my avatar.

 

L. Valerius Flaccus, (108 - 107 B.C.)
AR Denarius
O: Winged and draped bust of Victory right, X below chin.
R: LVALERI / FLACCI (downwards on left), Mars walking left, spear in right, trophy in left over shoulder, apex left, head of grain behind.
Rome
20.0mm
3.89g
SRCV I 183, Sydenham 565, Crawford 306/1, RSC I Valeria 11

 

As for style, very few coins compare to the Greek coinage, but for "aesthetically pleasing" in my collection, I will have to go with this Roman Republican:

MN. FONTEIUS ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS FONTEIA
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: Jugate heads of the Dioscuri
REVERSE: Galley under oar
Struck at Rome 108-109 BC
3.9g, 20mm
Cr.307/1, Fonteia 7

 

IdesOfMarch's question is key. However, you may be surprised at the array of beautiful ancient coins available for almost any budget.

Classical era Greek coins are among my favorites when it comes to sheer beauty, particularly coins of Sicily. The first three are from ancient Sicily, starting with my overall favorite (of coins I own).


Syracuse. Agathokles tetradrachm, 310-305 BCE


Selinos. AR litra, c. 410 BCE

Here's a very modest bronze coin. Despite the deposits and uneven patina, the artistry is clear and to me it is beautiful.

Sicily, Syracuse. Dionyisos I, tetras

Iconic tetradrachms of Alexander the Great can also be beautiful:

Alexander III tetradrachm, late lifetime issue

Corinth staters are always popular, in part because of their beauty:


I'm fond of these earlier style Ptolemy I tetradrachms which have an artistic rendering of Alexander III wearing an elephant skin headdress. This isn't the finest quality example but it was one I could afford

EGYPT. Ptolemy I Soter
AR tetradrachm, 27 mm, 17.0 gm (Attic standard)
Alexandreia mint, struck 313/12 BCE
Obv: Head of the deified Alexander III to right, wearing mitra (headband) of Dionysos and elephant skin headdress, with aegis around his neck, and with horn of Ammon on his forehead
Rev: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ; Athena Alkidemos advancing right, hurling spear with her right hand and with shield over her extended left arm; to right, eagle with closed wings standing on thunderbolt to right with ΔΙ below
Ref: Svoronos 33; Zervos series D, issue XIII; SNG Copenhagen 14; BMC 7

 

Not quite sure yet, but I've often preferred aincnet greek especially. Depending on what coins I decide to part with this year I'd figure a budget around $400 or less.

 

Interesting topic, non_cents!

Judaean coins are not immediately beautiful at first glance. They have an acquired appeal that grows over time. This is one of my favorites.

 

Of all, I'd say this Syracusan 5 Litrae piece of Philistis, wife of Hieron II:



Among Romans, I love the portraits on these two early 1st Century bronzes:

 

As for style I think I'd have to go with my Lysimachus Tetradrachm even though the surfaces could be better.

I also really like the look of my Antoninus Pius denarius. In hand it has a really pleasing purple sheen to it that I have not yet been able to fully capture with a photo.

...and so she doesn't get jealous I'll throw in my pretty Athena as well

 

I don't know about "not immediately beautiful at first glance." I think some Judean coins can be very beautiful. I really love my Herod Agrippa:

 

I have a top 2. I cannot decide between them

 

Where are the Owls?

 

(I'm assuming you mean Athens tetradrachms with Athena/owl) You could argue that they aren't particularly "aesthetically pleasing" (although they certainly are very historic). The archaic period owl tets might be viewed as odd-looking by today's standards. The classical period Athena with her non-anatomic eye and weird profile may not fit today's standard of beauty. On later owl tets Athena looks a bit like Edith Bunker . The "new style" owl tets are-- to me-- generally more artistic but they lack the historic oomph and recognition of the Classical owl tets.

I'm not owl tet bashing here and certainly plan to get a "mass emission" owl tet someday. They are important coins for ancient coin collectors .

 

You're right on, Sallent! I almost posted the Herod Agrippa period prutah also.

 

I don't think Athenian owls are the most pleasing coins in the world. I understand they are overhyped, contributing to extremely high prices compared to their relative availability.

That being said, despite the overhype, being overpriced, relatively common, and not extremely eye appealing compare to other ancient Greek coins out there, I still love mine and would buy it all over again if I had to.

 

And here she is ladies and gentlemen; Edith Bunker

 

A green roman and an orange greek


ROMAN EMPIRE, SEVERUS ALEXANDER sestertius RIC 558 Rome mint AD 231
IMP SEV ALEXANDER AVG, Laureate bust of Severus Alexander righ, with light drapery on left shoulder
IOVI CONSERVATORI, Jupiter standing left, holding thunderbolt and sceptre, with a small figure of the emperor at his feet, SC in field
14.75 gr
Ref : RIC # 558, RCV #7966, Cohen # 74



Syracuse Agathokles 317-289 BC
SYPAKOSYWN. Head of Kore left
Bull butting left, two dolphins and linked VA in field
6.0 gr, 20 mm
Ref : Sear #1195 var

Of course I could have chosen others, but these a today's choice

Q

 

LOL! Stifle yourself!